Will July 1, 2008 be Doomsday for millions of cell phone-chatting California drivers, including those in the Los Angeles area? On July 1, the California Wireless Telephone Automobile Safety Act takes effect. This law generally prohibits the use of a wireless telephone while driving a motor vehicle, unless the phone is being used in a “hands-free” manner. But the new law appears to contain several loopholes big enough for your Hummer.

Then factor in the number of cars on the roads in the Los Angeles region, and the resulting probability of any individual driver being pulled over even if he or she is violating the law. When these drivers see a cop, won’t they simply hit the speakerphone button and put their phone down temporarily?

It sounds like the Doomsday Clock for those who like to chat on the phone while driving isn’t ticking much closer to midnight in California.

@darleene: I work in the mobile phone industry and when the law was signed, there were jokes among our clients that we’d be able to demand better rates with the number of people upgrading their phones because it.